Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change reviewed the national conservation strategy as officials examined drivers of conflict and outlined tactical approaches to reduce human–animal confrontations.

The government placed the escalating issue of human–wildlife conflict at the centre of national conservation planning, as senior officials reviewed strategies for tiger and elephant protection while reinforcing mitigation measures for communities living alongside wildlife. The 28th meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the 22nd Steering Committee meeting of Project Elephant were held on Sunday at the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve in West Bengal under Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav’s chairmanship.

Officials and experts from tiger and elephant range states discussed progress on Project Tiger and Project Elephant, examined drivers of conflict and outlined tactical approaches to reduce human–animal confrontations. Special attention was paid to the sixth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation exercise, with preparatory surveys commencing in November 2025.

The meetings reaffirmed the government’s commitment to science-based conservation and community engagement, endorsing landscape-level planning and inter-state coordination to ensure the long-term survival of India’s flagship species.

Human–Wildlife Conflict Intensifies Across India

Incidents of human–wildlife conflict – encounters between people and large mammals like tigers and elephants resulting in injury, loss of life and property damage – have emerged as a persistent challenge in India’s forest fringes and rural landscapes. Recent data indicates that certain regions have witnessed repeated fatal encounters involving big cats and elephant herds, a trend acknowledged by policymakers and conservationists alike.

Conflict hotspots span across several states; for example, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have reported ongoing tiger-related attacks, while elephant herds entering agricultural areas have prompted distress among farming communities. In Kerala alone, human–elephant encounters have historically contributed to dozens of human and elephant fatalities annually.

Supreme Court interventions have added momentum to policy responses, with recent directives urging states to treat severe human–wildlife conflict as a ‘natural disaster,’ which would expedite compensation and disaster management assistance to affected families.

Field Incidents Highlight Urgency of Response

Recent headlines reflect the intensity of this challenge: a forest guard in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was severely injured in a tiger attack during routine patrols; a district in Maharashtra recorded more than 40 wildlife conflict-related human deaths this year alone; and villagers near Hosur in Tamil Nadu were placed on alert as large elephant herds migrated into farmland.

These incidents underscore the intersection between wildlife behaviour, habitat pressures, and human activity. Forest officials have increasingly called for rapid response teams, improved monitoring, and community education to reduce surprise encounters and facilitate safer coexistence.

Policy, Compensation, and Community Measures

At the Sundarbans meeting, NTCA deliberations included strengthening mechanisms to address root drivers of conflict – from habitat degradation and prey scarcity to invasive species and infrastructure impacts on wildlife corridors. A new project on the management of tigers outside protected reserves was discussed, alongside technical support to states grappling with conflict hot spots.

Compensation schemes remain a critical tool; timely payouts for loss of life and property are seen as essential to maintaining community trust in conservation programmes. The Supreme Court has underscored this point, instructing states to adopt model guidelines for conflict management and swift compensation disbursement.

A multi-pronged approach is emerging: landscape-scale habitat management, investment in technological tools for early warning and monitoring, and community-centric interventions, such as alternate livelihood support and conflict education, aim to reduce pressures on both people and wildlife.

Balancing Conservation with Community Safety

Experts warn that without addressing underlying causes – including deforestation, corridor fragmentation and climate pressures – human–wildlife conflict will continue to strain India’s conservation gains. Conservation advocates argue that coexistence frameworks must align ecological priorities with local needs, fostering safe practices while safeguarding biodiversity.

The government’s renewed emphasis on science-backed, coordinated strategies – from expanding protected habitats to synchronised wildlife estimation and compensatory support – marks a shift toward more integrated conflict mitigation. Whether these measures will curb rising encounters remains a shared focus for policymakers, conservationists and affected communities across India.

At the Meeting

The Steering Committee Meeting of Project Elephant commenced with the confirmation of the Action Taken Report of the 21st Steering Committee Meeting, followed by deliberations on issues raised by Steering Committee Members and Permanent Invitees.

Presentations were made on the status of regional action plans for elephant conservation in southern India and north-eastern India, highlighting progress achieved by elephant range states and identifying priority areas for coordinated inter-state action.

The steering committee reviewed updates on the all-India synchronized elephant estimation, a critical exercise for evidence-based planning and decision-making. Progress under the model elephant conservation plan for the Nilgiri Elephant Reserve and ongoing work on DNA profiling of captive elephants were also discussed, with emphasis on strengthening scientific management and welfare standards.

A comprehensive review of the status of human–elephant conflict across the country was undertaken. The Committee discussed findings from ongoing studies on conflict drivers and mitigation measures, along with the status and adequacy of compensation mechanisms adopted by elephant range states.

The meeting also deliberated on the evaluation of elephant population estimation methods, progress on integrated conservation and management strategies for the Ripu–Chirang Elephant Reserve, and future action plans. These include the conduct of management effectiveness evaluation for all Elephant Reserves with CAMPA funding support and a proposed study on elephant corridors, habitat utilisation, and conflict hotspots in the Bandhavgarh region.

The steering committee reaffirmed the government’s commitment to science-based conservation, inter-state coordination, technological innovation, and community-centric approaches to ensure a sustainable future for elephants and the people living in elephant landscapes.

On the occasion, Minister Yadav released six publications. These included Project Cheetah in India, highlighting the progress achieved under Project Cheetah through scientific management and international cooperation; the latest issue of STRIPES, NTCA’s outreach journal, focusing on modern technology, tiger dispersal, and the commencement of the sixth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE); an NTCA booklet documenting India’s tiger conservation framework and institutional milestones; Tigerverse – Little-known facts from India’s Tiger Reserves, showcasing biodiversity, culture, and conservation stories from tiger reserves across the country; Best Practices in Captive Elephant Management for Elephant Handlers and the December 2025 issue of the TRUMPET Quarterly Journal.

Image: PIB